As Edgar is wrapping up his story, a Gentleman runs in, crying for help, with a bloody knife. He exclaims that he has just taken it from the heart of Goneril—who, after confessing to having poisoned Regan, committed suicide. Edmund confesses that he had pledged to wed both, and that now all three will be united in death. Albany orders the Gentleman to bring in the bodies. As he speeds off to do so, Kent arrives asking to see Lear. Reminded, Albany asks Edmund where Lear and Cordelia can be found. Edmund, saying he would like to do some good before he dies, orders them to send someone quickly to the king and his daughter—for he has written instructions for his Captain to kill them (earlier in 5.3). Edmund gives the messenger-soldier his sword, as a sign of the authenticity of the message. He explains that he instructed his soldier to hang her, and make it look like suicide, as Albany orders that he be carried off
However, before order can be restored, the destruction and annihilation that has been unfolding ever since Cordelia's first speaking "nothing" has more to wreck in its path. With Edmund's confession that he pledged himself to both Goneril and Regan, the audience and the other characters see what poisoned their allegiance as sisters. Edmund also reveals the danger that Lear and Cordelia have been in, all while Albany and others believed them to be under the protection of law, awaiting judgment…